There’s no doubt that money makes the world go ’round. Yes, love is what makes life great but without money we can’t pay our mortgage, go on vacation, buy groceries, or hit the gym. Money fuels our world, which means that with a banking associate degree you’ll be able to go almost anywhere and find a job.

Think about it: almost every town in America has a bank.  Most small towns have two or three, and in larger cities there might be dozens. And, everyone uses banks. If you’re looking for job security, then you can’t do much better than the banking industry.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers estimates that the banking and financial industry should grow by at least 14.5% over the next few years. In an economy where most industries are shrinking, that’s a pretty great number to see.

Also, with an associate degree in banking you’re not just stuck working in a bank as a teller. You can work as a loan officer, a mortgage specialist, or any number of other positions in a bank.  You can help families buy their first home or guide them through saving up for their kid’s college education. Banking can be an incredibly rewarding career, especially if you like numbers.

With a banking associate degree you won’t just be dealing with money, however. Bankers handle a wide array of tasks, which might include:

  • Reviewing and advising on loans
  • Explaining credit to clients
  • Make financial presentations to schools to educate kids about money
  • Research markets for investments
  • Compute property equity
  • Verify bank transactions
  • Provide customer service and advice to customers

And much, much more! Many people think that banking just involves standing behind a window and taking money, but there’s a whole lot more to it than that.

It’s also a lucrative career. Starting salaries for a banking or financial services job is $33,000 to $36,000, according to Salary.com. Just imagine how much you could make if, after getting your banking associate degree, you worked your way up to a 4-year degree in this industry. There’s definitely room to move upwards with this degree.

So, are you interested yet? Good! Here are a few examples of what you’ll learn if you decide to pursue an associate degree in banking:

  • Accounting principals
  • Banking law
  • Income Tax rules and regulations
  • Information Systems for the banking industry